The third book in the Keyes Sisters series, 2008

“THEY’RE CALLING YOU a ruthless bastard,” Diane said as she scanned the article in the business magazine. “You must be happy.”

Matthew Fenner looked at his secretary, but didn’t speak. Eventually she glanced up and smiled.

“You like being called a ruthless bastard,” she reminded him.

“I like respect,” he corrected.

“Or fear.”

He nodded. “Fear works.”

Diana dropped the open magazine on his desk. “Don’t you ever want someone to think you’re nice?” she asked.

“No.”

Being the nice guy meant getting screwed. He’d learned that a long time ago. He picked up one of the messages by his phone. Ironically, the woman who had taught him every aspect of that lesson had just called.

His secretary sighed. “I worry about you.”

“You’re wasting your time.”

“Don’t panic. I only do it on my off hours.”

He scowled at his fifty-something assistant, but she ignored him. While he would never admit it, the fact that he didn’t intimidate her was one of the reasons she’d lasted so long. Although he had a reputation for being the kind of businessman who left his competition bleeding on the side of the road, he didn’t enjoy watching his staff cower. At least not all the time.

“Did you have anything else?” he asked, then looked pointedly at the door.

She rose. “Jesse called again. That makes three calls in three days. Are you calling her back?”

“Does it matter?”

“Yes. If you’re going to continue to ignore her, I’d like to just tell her and put her out of her misery.” Diane frowned. “You’re usually more clear with your BGFs. They rarely phone after you dump them.”